Entry No. 34 — the Spokane file — filed under: speakeasy-bar
Hogwash Whiskey Den
There is no neon and no sidewalk sign here — you descend an unmarked stairwell into the basement of the 1891 Washington Cracker Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside waits a low-lit den with more than 200 whiskeys, rentable whiskey lockers, and a kitchen turning out whiskey-barrel shoyu ramen and smoked brisket taquitos. Open since 2016, it is the closest Spokane gets to a genuine modern speakeasy.
The story
You won't find a glowing neon sign or a sidewalk A-frame pointing you toward Hogwash. To get inside, you have to spot an unmarked stairwell on West Pacific Avenue and descend straight into the basement brickwork of the 1891 Washington Cracker Building—a brick structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Operating below street level since 2016, the den houses a stash of over 200 whiskeys, rentable whiskey lockers for regulars, and a cocktail program run out of the low-lit dark. The kitchen eschews standard bar snacks for heavy-hitting comfort dishes like whiskey-barrel shoyu ramen, smoked brisket taquitos, double smash burgers, and tater bombs.
What it's like
Finding the staircase feels like a secret handshake. Downstairs, the room is subterranean, cozy, and dark enough that your eyes take a minute to adjust to the brickwork and wood. It fills up quickly, so showing up on a weeknight is your best shot at grabbing a spot without a wait. Split a flight of obscure whiskeys and a bowl of barrel-aged ramen, but keep in mind that they are closed on Sundays and the entrance won't give itself away.
The move: Hunt for the unmarked stairwell together, then split a flight of unusual whiskeys and a bowl of barrel-aged ramen in the basement dark.
📍 Before you go Closed Sundays; basement entrance is intentionally hard to spot.
- 📍 Spokane (downtown)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 304 W Pacific Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cease & Desist Book Club — Walk two blocks down to keep the hidden-bar theme going behind a swinging bookcase in the historic Legion Building.
- Durkin's Liquor Bar — Head three blocks north to compare subterranean spots at this pre-Prohibition style bar with its own basement lounge.
- Berserk — Trade low-lit whiskey sipping for pinball machines, punk rock, and cheap beers just a short stroll away on Riverside.
- Baby Bar — If you want another secret watering hole, head four blocks over to find this tiny red-lit dive tucked behind a burrito counter.
Good to know
How do I find the entrance?
Head to 304 W Pacific Ave and look for an unmarked stairwell going down into the basement of the Washington Cracker Building. There are no neon lights or sidewalk signs.
What kind of food and drinks do they serve?
They stock over 200 whiskeys alongside craft cocktails, paired with kitchen offerings like whiskey-barrel shoyu ramen, smoked brisket taquitos, smash burgers, and tater bombs.
What are the whiskey lockers for?
Regulars can rent whiskey lockers on-site to store their personal bottles for future visits.
Is Hogwash open every day?
No, Hogwash is closed on Sundays. Always double-check their current operational hours before planning your trip.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: thedailymeal.com · Yelp · spokanehistorical.org · visitspokane.com · Official site
last checked: 2026-06-24